On July 2, 1994, a Piper PA-32R-300 (registration N5716F) was involved in an aviation accident near Put-in-bay, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE CONTROL AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH A SIGN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot aborted landing after left landing gear felt abnormal. The aircraft veered left, left wing struck a sign and separated, causing it to exit the runway.
Event Summary
According to the pilot's statement, after touchdown the left landing gear 'felt funny,' and the airplane pulled to the left. The pilot then applied full power, and the airplane 'pulled...to the right.' The pilot brought the airplane to a stop by reducing power, applying brakes, and using right rudder.
Witness and Evidence
A witness reported that the airplane 'came in, hot,' and touched down before the runway numbers. The left wing 'dipped left, 20-30 degrees.' The pilot attempted to abort the landing by adding power to the engine. The left wing then dipped and struck a sign near the runway, which resulted in the wing separating and causing the airplane to veer off to the left. Tire marks showed that the airplane landed on the left edge of the runway.